European champion league

Bayern Munich's James Rodriguez (right) tries to score against Real Madrid's goalkeeper Keylor Navas (2nd right) during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second-leg football match. (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP) Real Madrid are within touching distance of a third consecutive Champions League triumph after Karim Benzema scored twice to eliminate Bayern Munich on Tuesday (May 1) and book their place in the final. Bayern, who trailed 2-1 following last week's opening leg in Germany, looked capable of inflicting this season's latest European comeback when Joshua Kimmich scored early and James Rodriguez levelled shortly after the hour. But Benzema's double in between, the first a header, the second a simple finish following a dreadful error from Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, proved enough as Real hung on for a 2-2 draw, and a 4-3 win on aggregate. Benzema's two goals here were another feather in the cap for coach Zinedine Zidane, who had decided to start the French striker, despite only one … [Read more...] about Benzema’s double strike sends Real into Champions League final

Captain Nabil Fekir scored a superb goal as Lyon stayed on course for a return to the Champions League by romping to a 5-2 win at Dijon in Ligue 1 on Friday (Apr 20). Lyon's French midfielder Nabil Fekir (top) is tackled by Dijon's French goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet during the French L1 football match between Dijon FCO and Olympique Lyonnais, on Apr 20, 2018, at the Gaston Gérard Stadium in Dijon, central France. (Photo: AFP/Philippe Desmazes) Memphis Depay, Houssem Aouar, Bertrand Traore and Maxwel Cornet were also on target for the visitors in Burgundy, as a rampant Lyon claimed a sixth consecutive league victory. Bruno Genesio's side - who missed out on a Champions League place this season - are now just a point behind second-placed Monaco, who visit Guingamp on Saturday. Crucially, they are also three points ahead of fourth-placed Marseille, who entertain Lille in another Saturday game. "The aim was to win and that's what we did. This is never easy in Dijon," said … [Read more...] about Five star Lyon take another step towards Champions League return

Viet Nam News LONDON — Chelsea manager Antonio Conte defended misfiring striker Alvaro Morata despite the Spaniard missing a host of chances in a 2-1 win at Burnley on Thursday. Victory kept Chelsea’s outside chances of chasing down Tottenham Hotspur for a place in next season’s Champions League alive as they closed to within five points their London rivals with four games remaining. Chelsea meet Southampton for the second time in eight days in a FA Cup semi-final on Sunday after Conte’s side came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at St. Mary’s on Saturday. And with the Cup representing Chelsea’s last chance at silverware this season, the Italian left Eden Hazard and Willian on the bench as Olivier Giroud and Morata started together up front for the first time. Morata has still only scored twice in 2018 after missing two one-on-ones with England World Cup hopeful Nick Pope. But Conte believes the Spaniard showed he and Giroud can work more often as a … [Read more...] about Chelsea keep Champions League hopes alive at Burnley

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola blasted Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz and lamented a number of decisions that cost his side dear after a 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool on Tuesday (Apr 10) sealed a 5-1 aggregate Champions League quarter-final win for the five-time European champions. Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola (centre) sits in the stands during the second-half of the Champions League second leg quarter-final football match against Liverpool. Guardiola was sent off at half-time for his furious protests towards Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz. (Paul ELLIS/AFP) Guardiola was forced to watch the second half from the stands after being sent off for his protests at the break as free-spending City's dreams of conquering the Champions League for the first time were dashed for another season. City led 1-0 on the night at that stage after Gabriel Jesus's second-minute opener, but the hosts felt aggrieved after Leroy Sane had a second goal wrongly disallowed … [Read more...] about Guardiola sent off as Salah sends Liverpool into Champions League semi finals

Viet Nam News PARIS — Memphis Depay continued his hot streak of form as Lyon won 5-0 at Metz on Sunday to climb above Marseille as the two sides fight it out for Champions League qualification in France. The Dutchman scored one goal and set up the other four, with Lyon claiming a fourth consecutive win to move into third place in Ligue 1 above Marseille, who could only draw 0-0 with Montpellier in the late game. Well adrift of champions-elect Paris Saint-Germain and second-placed Monaco, goal difference is all that separates the sides with six games of the season remaining. Lyon were 2-0 up at half-time against Ligue 1’s bottom club, with Depay twice sending in corners for Brazilian defender Marcelo to score. The former Manchester United man got his name on the scoresheet in the 65th minute and then teed up Bertrand Traore and Mariano Diaz for further goals as Lyon won 5-0 on their travels for the fourth time this season. Depay has now scored 13 league goals this … [Read more...] about Depay stars again as Lyon leapfrog Marseille in Champions League race